What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?

The most common signs that you may need hormone replacement therapy include:

• Persistent hot flashes and night sweats


• Vaginal dryness, itching, or discomfort during intercourse


• Decreased sex drive


• Difficulty sleeping


• Mood changes like irritability, anxiety, or depression


• Fatigue and lack of energy


• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen


• Brain fog, trouble concentrating or remembering things


• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling


• Loss of muscle mass and tone

Some additional signs in men that may indicate low testosterone levels:

• Loss of facial, body, or pubic hair


• Development of breast tissue


• Erectile dysfunction

Some other key things to know:

Why hormone therapy may be needed

• As we age, hormone levels naturally decline in both men and women. Perimenopause and menopause in women, and andropause in men, can cause sometimes disruptive symptoms. Replacing these declining hormones through hormone therapy may help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.

Who is a candidate

• Women going through perimenopause or menopause are candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Men with low testosterone levels may also benefit. Your doctor can run blood tests to determine if hormone therapy makes sense.

Benefits

• Relieves disruptive menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal discomfort


• May improve mood, energy levels, sleep quality


• Helps maintain bone density


• Can support sexual health and function

Risks

• Potential increased risk of blood clots, stroke, heart disease (depending on age/risk factors)


• Breast cancer risk may be slightly elevated with combination (estrogen progestin) HRT

As always, talk to your doctor to determine if hormone therapy is appropriate for your individual health situation. Getting bloodwork done to measure your hormone levels is key.

If you are located in the Buffalo area and looking for an experienced hormone therapy clinic, check out Balance Hormone Clinic. Their board-certified providers offer cutting edge bioidentical hormone therapy to help you find relief. Contact them today for a consultation!